ENHANCED ULTRASOUND PLATFORM

• US 20090069725A1
• Filed: 09/07/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sonosite Incorporated (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Diener, Alexander M., Sliger, Bradley J., Lorusso, Tom, Van Eyck, Jerry J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,978,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means

Abstract

An enhanced ultrasound housing and enhanced ultrasound platform facilitates a technician-friendly layout by providing a beneficial ergonomic layout. Control switches may also be configured to provide convenient implementation of ultrasound techniques. Further, an enhanced ultrasound housing and enhanced ultrasound platform provides physical protection to the device. Physical protection may come in the form of an exoskeletal member, or from a covering which inhibits liquid penetration.

Claims

1. An ultrasound platform, said platform comprising:

front portion configured to hold an ultrasound display;

an exoskeletal member attached to said platform, said exoskeletal member configured to at least partially frame said platform and provide external protection from mechanical impacts of said platform.

2. The ultrasound platform of claim 1 wherein said front portion of said platform is configured to hold at least one control switch.

3. The ultrasound platform of claim 1 further comprising a bottom portion bounded on at least three sides by said exoskeletal member, said bottom portion extending at an angle in front of a plane defined by said front portion, said bottom portion configured to hold one or more user interface controls.

4. The ultrasound platform of claim 1 further comprising a top portion bounded on at least three sides by said exoskeletal member, said top portion forming a handle, extending at an angle behind a plane defined by said front portion;

5. The ultrasound platform of claim 4 wherein said top portion is configured to receive at least one tool for a user of the ultrasound device.

6. The ultrasound platform of claim 5 wherein said at least one tool may be one or more items selected from a list including a gel bottle, and probe.

7. The ultrasound platform of claim 4, wherein said handle is formed by said exoskeletal member.

8. The ultrasound platform of claim 1 wherein said exoskeletal member comprises a shock-absorbent material.

9. The ultrasound platform of claim 1 wherein said exoskeletal member is configured to hold a membranous cover.

10. The ultrasound platform of claim 9 wherein said membranous cover interacts with said platform to configure one or more control switches to perform functions based on a specialized clinical applications.

22. The ultrasound system of claim 9 wherein said bottom portion of said platform is pivotably disposed with said front surface thereby facilitating alteration of the inward angle of extension.

11. An ultrasound system comprising:

a processing unit;

a platform having a display and at least one user interface, said platform connected to said processing unit; and

wherein said platform comprises;

a front portion configured to secure the display;

a top portion forming a handle, said top portion extending at an angle behind a plane defined by said front portion; and

a bottom portion extending at an angle in front of the plane defined by said front portion, said bottom portion configured to secure said at least one user interface.

12. The ultrasound system of claim 11 further comprising an exoskeletal member circumferentially wrapped around the perimeter of said platform.

13. The ultrasound system of claim 12 wherein said external support member comprises a shock-absorbent material.

14. The ultrasound system of claim 11 wherein said housing is at least partially covered by an membranous cover.

15. The ultrasound system of claim 11 wherein said front portion of said platform is configured to house at least one control switch.

16. The ultrasound system of claim 15 wherein said at least one control switch is pre-configured to perform different functions based on various clinical applications implemented by the ultrasound system.

17. The ultrasound system of claim 16 wherein said pre-configuration is implemented by placing a membranous cover on said platform.

18. The ultrasound system of claim 17 further comprising one or more labels proximate to said at least one control switch, said labels corresponding to said functions of said at least one control switch.

19. The ultrasound system of claim 17 wherein said front portion and control switches are at least partially covered by an membranous cover.

20. The ultrasound system of claim 11 wherein said top portion of said platform is configured to hold at least one tool for a user of the system.

21. The ultrasound system of claim 18 wherein said at least one tool may be one or more items selected from a list including:

a gel bottle, and an ultrasound probe.

23. A method for creating an ultrasound platform, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a housing having a front surface forming at least one aperture, a top portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion angularly extending forward with respect a plane defined by said front surface, said top portion angularly extending backward with respect to the plane defined by said front surface;

placing a display screen within said at least one aperture of said front surface of said housing, said display screen placed coplanar with said front surface of said housing;

placing a user interface device within said bottom portion of said housing; and

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said top portion is formed to serve as a handle for said platform.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of framing said housing within an exoskeletal member.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein said providing comprises:

forming an exoskeletal framework with an exoskeletal member to form said housing, said framework having a center section, an inwardly sloping section at one end of said center section and an outwardly sloping section at the other end of said center section; and

wherein said front surface is supported by said center section, said bottom portion is supported by said inwardly sloping section, and said outwardly sloping section forms a handle for said platform.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of placing at least one control switch within said at least one aperture of said front surface of said housing.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of covering said control switches and said front surface with a membranous cover.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of configuring said at least one control switch to perform a different function based on various clinical applications implemented by the ultrasound system.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of placing a label proximate to said at least one control switch, said labels corresponding to said functions of said at least one control switch.